Skoda Karoq

Skoda unveiled the Karoq crossover in 2017 and this vehicle is expected to come to India in 2020. It is a compact vehicle and is a successor to the Skoda Yeti that was sold in India till 2017. This is the second vehicle to join Skoda’s new SUV heavy line up and will be retailed to customers by the end of the year.

On the outside, the Karoq has borrowed much of its design cues from the larger Kodiaq. The face gets the signature moustache grille and sleek head lamps while the side profile is defined by the flared wheel arches and the forward sloping roofline. There is also a strong shoulder line that gives the vehicle its SUV profile. The European market is expected to get the Karoq with 18-inch or 19-inch wheels while other markets are expected to get smaller size due to the Continent´s demand for bigger tyres.

The cabin is stereotypical Skoda and we can see that many of the elements have been picked up from the Skoda common parts bin. This includes the dashboard, climate control system as well as the upholstery. The Karoq will come as a strict five seater with flexible seating options to provide a whole host of practicality within the cabin. In terms of safety, all variants will get six airbags and ABS as standard features and the AT versions can also expect a stability programme as well as a traction control programme.

The Karoq will be offered with two petrol and three diesel engines. The capacities are in the range of 1.0-litre to 2.0-litre where the former is a turbocharged three-cylinder unit while the latter is expected to be offered only with the top-of-the-line diesel AT which will get a seven-speed DSG and AWD as standard.

Given that the Karoq is entering a very competitive part of the market for SUVs, we believe that Skoda will locally assemble the Karoq for the Indian market. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 18 lakh to Rs 25 lakh and will come here with both petrol and diesel engines.